A rich and layered Chardonnay reminiscent of its cool-climate origins. Flavors of orange and melon are framed by decadent notes of butterscotch, honey, and warm spice, creating a well-balanced and complex wine.
“A rich and layered Chardonnay reminiscent of its cool-climate origins. Flavors of orange
and melon are framed by decadent notes of butterscotch, honey and warm spice, creating
a well-balanced and complex wine.” –Jennifer Williams, Winemaker
Vineyard Notes
We selected the fruit for our inaugural Chardonnay from Cuvaison Vineyard in Carneros,
a sub-appellation at the southern end of Napa Valley, renowned for its cool-climate
Chardonnay. Cooled by fog ushered in from nearby San Pablo Bay, the rolling hills of this
certified sustainable vineyard have produced extraordinary Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
grapes for more than 30 years. Growers at Cuvaison farm the vineyard block by block,
allowing us to craft a well-balanced, vineyard-driven Chardonnay that offers a layered
portrait of this special site. This vintage is a blend of Wente, 15 and 548 clones.
Production Notes
The 2016 vintage in Napa Valley has been widely lauded as exceptional in quality, with
moderate yields. An early bud break was followed by a cooler growing season, with few
heat spikes in the summer. The lengthy growing season allowed the grapes more time on
the vine to ripen evenly. Slightly lower yields translated to more intensely concentrated
flavor in the glass.
Winemaker Notes
Following harvest in September, the fruit was fermented in barrel to lend a rich, creamy
texture to the final wine. This Chardonnay underwent partial Malolactic fermentation and
was aged for 10 months in a combination of new and neutral French oak barrels,
followed by another 8 months in bottle before release.
